Language & Power Podcast

Michael Farrelly & Tom Bartlett

Language is crucial to understanding societies. It’s crucial to recognising the ecological, social, political, and economic conditions in which we live. We use language to frame problems, formulate solutions, negotiate, and communicate political and economic pitfalls. Language is interaction that can accelerate action. But language is also performance, and performances can be used to distract from inaction, to avoid action, or postpone it, as much as to accelerate it.         And language is what we focus on in this second series of the language and power podcast. 

  1. S6 Episode 1: Human-nature Connectedness, and Positive Discourse Analysis

    1H AGO

    S6 Episode 1: Human-nature Connectedness, and Positive Discourse Analysis

    In this episode of the Language and Power podcast, we talk with Ben Clark from the University of Gothenburg about his research on biophilia - human-nature connectedness - and common ground. Ben explores how communication and discourse play roles in addressing environmental issues and argues for the interconnectedness of democratic processes and ecological problems. We discuss the importance of how nature is represented in discourse, examining how language can foster empathy and better relationships with the environment. Through detailed examples and analysis, Ben discusses the potential impact of framing and metaphors on public perception and behavior towards climate-conscious actions. Finally, we touch upon the upcoming European Systemic Functional Linguistics Congress in Gothenburg, focusing on environmental sustainability and the future of positive discourse analysis. 00:39 Exploring Biophilia and Common Ground 01:56 Digital Democracy and Environmental Representation 03:16 Interconnection of Democracy and Environmental Issues 04:40 Common Ground in Communication 07:46 Designing Biophilic Digital Spaces 10:07 Biophilia and Human Wellbeing 12:55 Psychological and Intergenerational Connections to Nature 18:13 Linguistic Approaches to Environmental Messaging 21:18 Exploring Metaphors in Discourse 21:39 Psychological and Big Data Approaches 23:05 Stakeholders in Environmental Communication 24:04 Textual Analysis of Nature Discourse 27:36 Common Ground in Environmental Texts 33:44 Impact of Activists on Political Discourse 37:31 Positive Discourse Analysis and Future Directions 34th European Systemic Functional Linguistics Conference (ESFLC34): Ecosocial Environment Language & Power Podcast Webpage 1-1 Tutorials in CDA: Discourse Academy Webpage

    41 min
  2. Episode 7: COP 30, mega-cops, and meaningful participation Hayley Walker

    12/08/2025

    Episode 7: COP 30, mega-cops, and meaningful participation Hayley Walker

    In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Haley Walker from the Department of International Negotiation and Conflict Management, IÉSEG School of Management (Lille). We discuss the outcomes of COP30, held in Brazil, Dr. Walker’s insights into the successes and disappointments of COP30, and the disparity between expectations and actual outcomes. We hear about the differences between the negotiation and implementation facets of COP events, the increasing size of COPs post-Paris, and the challenges and potential solutions for effective participation and meaningful impact. Hayley emphasises the need to shift focus from negotiations to implementation and suggests greater utilisation of virtual participation and regional climate weeks to enhance inclusivity and effectiveness. 00:48 Discussing COP 30 Outcomes 02:22 Expectations vs. Reality at COP 30 04:01 The Role of the Action Agenda 06:02 Brazilian Presidency's Agenda Shift 07:59 Cover Decisions and Their Impact 09:42 Research on Non-State Actors 13:17 Media's Role in COP Coverage 15:45 Negotiation vs. Implementation at COP 21:29 Debunking Rage Bait in Climate Reporting 22:21 The Real Fossil Fuel Lobbying Happens Elsewhere 23:29 Youth Activism and Effective Climate Action 24:38 Understanding the Concept of Mega COPs 26:42 Challenges of Overcrowded COPs 27:17 Party Overflow and Its Implications 31:56 Virtual Participation and Downsizing COPs 34:11 Beyond COP: Year-Round Climate Work 37:09 Media Perception and COP Legitimacy 41:40 Concluding Thoughts and Future Directions The Conversation: The problem with ‘mega-COPs’: can a 50,000-person conference still tackle climate change? Academic article: Access and meaningful participation of non-state actors in the UNFCCC process: path-dependencies in the era of ‘mega-COPs’ In-person workshop: How to use CDA in your research project Language & Power Podcast Webpage Discourse Academy Webpage

    43 min
  3. S5 Episode 6: Jewish co-resistance to colonial disinformation

    11/03/2025

    S5 Episode 6: Jewish co-resistance to colonial disinformation

    In this episode, we speak with Awni Etaywe from Charles Darwin University in Australia about his upcoming publication, 'A CDA/PDA of Jewish Co-Resistance to Colonial Disinformation'. We discuss how disinformation in colonial contexts operates as epistemic and symbolic violence and discuss how Jewish organizations like Jewish Voice for Peace, Breaking the Silence, and the Jewish Council of Australia construct counter-narratives to challenge dominant Zionist framings of the Palestinian struggle. Dr. Etaywe explains his analysis of how alternative Jewish movements are leveraging discourse to foster trans-communal communities of trust and pro-Palestinian moral bonds, and explores the use of linguistic mechanisms such as evaluative couplings and morally charged language to resist colonial disinformation and reframe moral understanding. 00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction 00:24 Overview of the Article 02:15 Origins and Objectives of the Article 03:43 Jewish Movements and Colonial Framing 04:18 Disinformation and Moral Orders 11:24 Evaluative Couplings and Bond Clusters 23:36 Counter Framing and Activist Discourse 54:24 Conclusion and Final Thoughts We’ll add a link to the article here when it has been published In-person workshop: How to use CDA in your research project Language & Power Podcast Webpage Discourse Academy Webpage

    57 min
  4. S5 Episode 5: Changing climate, changing discourse

    10/01/2025

    S5 Episode 5: Changing climate, changing discourse

    In this special episode, recorded at the International Systemic Functional Linguistics Congress held in Glasgow this summer, we have an expert panel discussion on 'Changing Climate, Changing Discourse’.  Our guests, leading academics in the field of language and climate change, are Cinzia Bevitori; John Currie; Daniel Fryer; Matteo Fuoli; Gerard O’Grady; Katherine Russo; and Paul White. Sharing insights from their research on NGO discourse, techno-optimism, the criminalisation of the environmental movement, and corporate greenwashing. Our panel discusses the psychological, sociological, and linguistic dimensions of climate discourse and looks at how these insights can empower activism and affect policy. 01:15 Panel Introductions and Research Summaries 10:35 Media Representation and Public Perception 14:38 Corporate Strategies and Stakeholder Tensions 19:51 Climate Reports and Their Impact 20:48 Corporate Power vs. Activist Efforts 21:17 The Influence of Discourse on Policy and Society 25:08 Challenges in Political Engagement with Evidence 27:06 Psychological and Sociological Aspects of Climate Discourse 30:29 The Role of Academia in Climate Discourse 32:46 Economic Growth and Social Justice 37:01 Conclusion and Podcast Information Language & Power Podcast Webpage Discourse Academy Webpage

    38 min
  5. S5 Episode 4: Exploring the Power of Ecolinguistics with Professor Arran Stibbe

    09/02/2025

    S5 Episode 4: Exploring the Power of Ecolinguistics with Professor Arran Stibbe

    In this episode, we talk with Professor Arran Stibbe from the University of Gloucestershire and the founding director of the International Eco Linguistics Association about his work in Ecolinguistics. We discuss the definition and scope of Ecolinguistics, its role in addressing climate change, biodiversity loss, and alienation from nature. Aaron shares insights on how language constructs our social realities, influences behaviour, and shapes policies that affect ecosystems. We also discuss the concept of transdisciplinarity, narrative ecology, and how positive discourse analysis can foster sustainable practices. Aaron emphasises the importance of integrating non-human concerns into our value systems and how shifting the narratives can contribute to ecological resilience and sustainability. The Stories We Live By The Search for New Stories to Live By Power and Language Podcast Webpage Discourse Academy Webpage

    45 min
  6. S5 Episode 3: Discourse, Policy and River Basin Plans in Portugal - Teresa Fidélis

    08/01/2025

    S5 Episode 3: Discourse, Policy and River Basin Plans in Portugal - Teresa Fidélis

    In this episode, we talk with Teresa Fidélis from the University of Aveiro, Portugal, about her co-authored research article ‘The integration of land use and climate change risks in the Programmes of Measures of River Basin Plans–assessing the influence of the Water Framework Directive in Portugal’.  We hear how the analysis found a clear shift in the language used in Portuguese River Basin Plans— how ‘concern about land use topics has reduced in the measures’ described in the plans over time.  Importantly, we discussed how these results were shared with policymakers and how the research team explained to them that ‘the more particular concerns are evident, the easier they are communicated and  assimilated by other actors’.  Article- The integration of land use and climate change risks in the Programmes of Measures of River Basin Plans – assessing the influence of the Water Framework Directive in Portugal Power and Language Podcast Webpage Discourse Academy Webpage

    46 min
  7. S5 Episode 2: The wickedness of net-zero policy - Michael Kranert

    07/01/2025

    S5 Episode 2: The wickedness of net-zero policy - Michael Kranert

    We chat with Dr Michael Kranert about his new research article ‘The wickedness of net-zero policy: scales in policy discourse’. In the article, he examines how international climate change policies are adapted at the local level, using a case study from a council debate in Germany about the EU programme ‘100 Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities by 2030’. The analysis focuses on the role of scales in policy discourse, highlighting the complexity and wickedness of climate change as a policy problem. The study contributes to critical policy discourse analysis by outlining the role of epistemological and ontological scales in connecting global and local policy discourses. Article- The wickedness of net-zero policy: scales in policy discourse Book: Critical Policy Discourse Analysis Power and Language Podcast Webpage Discourse Academy Webpage

    59 min
  8. S5 Episode 1: COP 29, Credibility, & the Press

    06/03/2025

    S5 Episode 1: COP 29, Credibility, & the Press

    In this episode of the Language and Power Podcast, we discuss COP29  held in Azerbaijan in 2024. We analyse media coverage from CNN, BBC, and the New York Times, focusing on the portrayal of Azerbaijan as a 'petrostate' and issues surrounding the credibility of the conference. Analysing the representation of social actors, we compare these media narratives with academic insights from Hayley Walker, who emphasises the role of effective negotiating teams in achieving climate goals. The discussion highlights varying perspectives on the intersection of geopolitics, media representation, and the procedural aspects of COP29. Hayley Walker research insight CNN article:Analysis Climate leaders were worried… BBC article:Climate change - Former oil executive… NYT article:Why is a Petrostate Holding This Year’s Climate Talks? Power and Language Podcast Webpage ONLINE COURSES - Discourse Academy Webpage

    52 min
See All (43)

About

Language is crucial to understanding societies. It’s crucial to recognising the ecological, social, political, and economic conditions in which we live. We use language to frame problems, formulate solutions, negotiate, and communicate political and economic pitfalls. Language is interaction that can accelerate action. But language is also performance, and performances can be used to distract from inaction, to avoid action, or postpone it, as much as to accelerate it.         And language is what we focus on in this second series of the language and power podcast. 

Information